Smurf Communism

Innocent Cartoon or Socialist Propaganda?

Is it possible that this cartoon, which we all watched and loved, was actually propaganda put upon us to promote communism? These theories have been around for years. Weigh the evidence for yourself.

Learn more about the Papa Smurf/Carl Marx similarities, and how Brainy Smurf is much like Leon Trotsky. Find out how Gargamel plays into it, and what's the deal with Smurfette...

Carl Marx vs. Papa Smurf

Carl Marx - Papa Smurf

The Leaders

So, the Smurf Communism theories usually kick off with a Papa Smurf/Carl Marx comparison.

The physical similarities are obvious...big bushy white beard. Papa Smurf dons the communist color red and is the leader of the Smurfs. He is the ultimate authority in the village. He makes the final say, and what he says goes.

In several episodes when Papa Smurf is not present, the Smurf Village's Utopian system destabilizes entirely.

The Communist Smurfs

Smurf Speaker

The Basis of the Argument

The Concept of Smurf Communism

Every smurf looked alike - very little individuality. They were all blue and wore white pants and hats - which looked like uniforms issued to them. They all wore blue hats, except that is for their leader who wore red, a color commonly connected with communism. They acted as one unit, a united group. They even sang their song together wherever they went as if it were an anthem of unity.

Each Smurf had their job and did not question it. Handy Smurf, Tailor Smurf, Farmer Smurf, Baker Smurf, Poet Smurf. They stuck to their job exclusively. There was actually an episode where each Smurf tried to the job of another Smurf and failed miserably - a possible lesson in do what you are assigned or you will fall.

The Smurfs live in an egalitarian utopia. The village was certainly not a capitalist society. Everything in the village was shared. As soon as the harvest was brought in, it was stored away and evenly distributed to all the Smurfs as they needed it - an example of collective farming. Farmer Smurf never sold his goods at the market as there is no system of monetary exchange or even barter in the Smurf village. There was no competition - each smurf had a job - one smurf per job. No choices.

In the Smurf comics, Finance Smurf introduced a short-lived system of monetary exchange, based upon the gold standard. He introduces the system after he is exposed to capitalism by trekking to a town in order to retrieve some medicine. He is portrayed as being logically shortsighted; the system he introduces leads to corruption, poverty, malnutrition, and general discontent. In addition, the monetary system increased the danger to the village, as Gargamel wished and tried to seize the Smurfs' stockpile of coinage.

Gargamel - Capitalism

Gargamel is the enemy of the Smurfs. At any given time, when you see Gargamel, he is plotting the demise of the Smurfs. At the beginning of the series, his plan was to boil the smurfs and turn them into gold. Gargamel was a capitalist. This portrayed of him implied that capitalists are greedy and put wealth above the wellbeing of others. He would do ANYTHING for money. Later in the series he was always trying to eat them, much like capitalists wish to devour the socialists, or absorb them into themselves.

Also, Gargamel's appearance and big nose may be an anti-semetic caricature of a stereotypical Jewish man.

Smurfs - The Inside Story

Smurfette

The role of women

The Smurfs are all equal...except for Smurfette. Smurfette stands out as the only smurf that is not defined by an occupation or a personality trait, but simply by her gender. She is nothing but a woman. She is an outsider to the group and this is represented by having been created by Gargomel. Gargomel actually made Smurfette to be an evil weakness to the Smurfs...he said so.

The dimunitive suffix of 'ette' meaning 'little', also identifies Smurfette as being not the equal of the males. Smurfette does not even get the common last name of Smurf. We know this is not an issolated case as another female smurfling was being raised...Sassette.

Possibly Communist Smurf Stuff on Amazon

Leon Trotsky - Brainy Smurf

Brainy Smurf, like Leon Trotsky, has round spectacles. Like Trotsky, who felt his intellectual theories of Communist society were superior, Brainy attempts to seize power in several episodes when Papa Smurf is away.

Where do you stand?

Do you buy into any of these theories?

Smurf Communism

Azrael

Azrael, Gargamel's cat, represents the worker in the ruthless, free-market state that is Gargomel's house. He is exploited by the his leader. He is of unequal status to Gargamel.

Azriel/Azrael means "Help from God" in Hebrew. In Islam and Judeo-Christian traditions Archangel Azrael/Ezra'il is the Angel of Death. (contributed by KCStargazer)

Well, I know something is going through your mind right now. So, go ahead and tell us what it is. Do you have supporting evidence, or anything to contradict the theory?

By the way, I don't necessarily buy into this theory, I am just putting it out there, so you can be better informed of what people are talking about. (So, don't get snippy). For me, it's all just a bit of fun.

Comments

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WinWriter 4 years ago

Very interesting theory. I'm not sure one way or the other. But, if it turns out that it is just one more thing where the media or whomever is trying to promote an agenda that is anti-American, anti-Constitution - it would make me sick to my stomach. Getting real tired of the "subtle" agendas.

Linda Hahn 5 years agofrom California

Cooperation and equality are not negative attributes, but the word Communism has implied negativity for Capitalists.

esvoytko lm 6 years ago

I don't think the Smurfs should be taken as dyed-in-the-wool propaganda for a Soviet-style system. This is more about communalism and cooperative economics; you see more of this kind of thing in credit unions and farmers' markets than you did in Stalin's Politburo. This is a great lens, though, and I think you presented everything very well!

jopalei 6 years ago

Great Lens. No matter what your opinion is, it makes you think about the "indoctrination of our children" discussions that can be seen on the news these days. Also the "beehive mentality" of the Borg on Star Trek. I'm of the Bugs Bunny generation myself. I'd be interested in your opinions on my new Lens: Food Police, should you be kind enough to check it out. Thanks.

momsfunny 6 years ago

I am still crying, over the fact that we are going to be taken over by the Smurf's and their communistic ways!!

Kiwisoutback 6 years agofrom Massachusetts

I feel so enlightened after reading this! I always knew there was something a little bit off about the Smurfs. Too bad the Snorks weren't cool enough to be analyzed this deeply.

julieannbrady 8 years ago

Wow -- I didn't know that Smurf Communism had been around for a while -- personally I say NAY -- aliens for sure.

PaxLamprey 9 years ago

Great lens. I've heard about this and it is definitely something to think about. Although Peyo's family stated he was apolitical, there are some interesting comparisons to Smurfs and communism. And thanks for joining the Smurfy Lensgroup.

Kanga LM 9 years ago

Haha, this is great! Apparently all fictional characters with big bushy beards are communists! Who knew??

I've always thought of the smurfs as being more like a family than a society... A very weird family, but a family all the same!

Jeff Wendland 9 years agofrom Kalamazoo, MI

Seriously Kab, awesome lens. I just made the lens Smurf Stuff and found yours while doing research. I am surprised at the possible communist connection. Squid Angel Blessings on this enlightening lens.

anonymous 10 years ago

Interesting exercise of thought...this whole comi-smurf theory. I do think that one fact kind kills the whole theory. The smurfs were on TV not to convince us of the glory of the "peoples struggle for yadda yadda"...but to sell stuff. To sell airtime for commercials, to sell franchise junk like toys, games, underoos, coloring books.....etc...your Ebay links show some of the capitalist crap that this show spawned. So I think that since this show made so much loot being a capitalist front....I think the superficial commie coincidences are just that coincidences (sp). If you want a real commie show...how bout Star Trek?

bdkz 10 years ago

Very interesting!

KCStargazer 10 years ago

The Smurfs have been a much bigger phenomena in Europe than in N America. There was even a dance called "The Smurf" popluar in the 80's-90's.

BTW- Azriel/Azrael (Gargamel's Cat) means "Help from God" in Hebrew. In Islam and Judeo-Christian traditions Archangel Azrael/Ezra'il is the Angel of Death.

KCStargazer 10 years ago

Interesting theory- Never made the Smurf/Communism connection B4. I have always thought they were extremely annoying however. That is why I once had a wind-up Gargamel toy and a cat named Azriel, in case any of those blue buggers with their irritatingly happy theme song ventured too near!